The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-08-26
THE GOLDEN CALF.
Mr. Optimus Codd Renders a
Friendly Service.

''He's the incarnation of fat divi-
dends.'
SIS he so very rich?'"
Rolling in money-might buy up
half the city, they say"
"And really, now / come to look at
him, not q bad looking man." muir
INJURED the Countess. focusing the GEN
tleman under discussion with very
effective double eye-glass.
"Geraldine, my love, that is Mr..
Optimus Codd over there in the door
way"
The beautiful Geraldine turned a
very naughty head and gave scornful
little laugh.
And who, pray, mamma, is Mr..
Optimus CoddP"
The young man standing between
the two ladies looked steadily at the
beautiful young lady in diaphanous
white tulle, saying:
''He is the Golden Calf of this wear.
Lady Geraldine. You will soon know
him by sight. He is making his mark
in society. He has asked to be pre-
sented to you. Lady Umfreville, have
your permission?"
The Countess smiled gracious con-
sent on Mr.. Rupert Paulet. She at
once absolved this penniless detriment-
AL who had been hanging about her
sacrihcial lamb too closely of late, for
his past offenses. 1t was such very
desirable matter to get hold of this
millionaire stock broker at an early
part of his career.
Mr.. Optimus Codd in his own sphere
was a man of mark. People in the
city pointed at him respectfully as the
possessor of untold wealth, but it had
only recently entered the mind of this
enterprising operator to make an eff
fort to enter fashionable society. This
great man-for he was very great in
the realms of stocks and "the thinos
that are always going up and down in
The city"-had recently purchased
house in Mayfair, whore he gave
most recherche banquets. He had
also contrived to be elected to two or
three good clubs. In consequence So
.clety was making inquiries about him,
and using every endeavor to substan-
tlate the rumors of his enormous
wealth. Doors could not be shut upon
nm absolute Cr9sus. In exterior the
gentleman who was the object of so
many attentions was not at all prepos-
Sessing, in spite of Lady Umfreville's
charitable verdict He had good
natured, fat face, with no salient
features, and reddish hair of q re-
tractory nature. His small gray eyes
had, however, az times a singularly
Keen and acute regard. Such ewes
might fathom good deal of humbug.
de dressed we'll and wore no iewelry,
bearing the manner and voice of a
gentleman. His discretion showed it.
self in nothing more than in his ability
to keep silence about himself and
others.
When Mr.. Codd slowly made his
way across the ballroom toward the
striking group near the conservatory
he was the object of many regards.
After the Hon. Rupert had presented
his friend in due form to the stately
Countess and her lovely daughter, he
remained few minutes in converse
hon with the party, finally offering his
arm to convey her ladyship to supper.
She gave an anxious backward look
toward Lady Geraldine and the hand
some young man left near her. It was
unavoidable; the only thing to be done
was to put her wits together and make
the most of the present opportunity.
You have box at the opera, be-
heve, Mr., Codda We are so anxious
to hear Patti on her first night"
This was an audacious opening, but
the Countess, being poor and widow,
never tiinched before an attempt OF this
sort 1t was her duty to make use of
rich acquaintances
Il shall be delighted if you will ac-
cept my box for that evening"" was
the natural rejoinder from one unused
to impecunious Countesses.
Lady Umfreville went away smiling
that evening, and thankfully felt that
her labor and Geraldine's new dress
had not been in vain.
Within a week, Mr.. Optimus Codd
had been invited to partake of various
small-very small-forms of hospitality
at Prince 's-gate. Little teas and lunch
cons might bring youngpeople together
quite as advantageously as more costly
entertainments. Her ladyship was
skilled matchmaker Two daughters
had already been disposed of in their
first season. But this was now Lady
Geraldine's second year in the market.
She was certainly more difficult to
manage than the docile elder sisters
had been. Still, Lady Umfreville did
not despair of settling her this season.
June had only just begun. There was
fourth girl coming in shortly. Lady
Margaret was still in the school-room.
though fully entitled to be emanci-
pated, and she was a spirited young
lady who might be more difficult to
control than all her predecessors.
What is he like, Jerryp mean the
city man that every one is talking
about / know mamma thinks YOU
have captivated him. You might bring
him up to the school-room for my in
spection some day. Pretend you want
to show him your drawings.